What Advice Do You Have for Someone Who Has Been Prescribed the Pill because of a Medical Problem?

By
William L. Toffler M.D.February 20, 2010

Question from a reader:

I have been on the pill for purely therapeutic reasons (prevention of an ovarian cyst from growing), not merely for birth control, or the regulation of my cycle or the easing of cramps. The medical professionals I have consulted with have described it as necessary to “protect my fertility." I’ve recently been married and am now aware of the potential of the pill being an abortifacient. What advice do you have for me in this situation?

Answer from William Toffler, M.D.:

If the family is using it as hormonal therapy for the endometriosis (or ovarian cyst), that’s fine from my perspective. However, in my opinion, they should also use a non-abortifacient contraceptive to prevent an unrecognized loss of a preborn child.

Modern natural family planning (NFP) or “double” barrier methods (condom for the male and spermicide, diaphragm or sponge for the female) are non-abortifacient forms of preventing conception.

Since NFP is difficult to do on the Pill, double barrier method protection, if used correctly, would result in virtually no chance of an unrecognized pre-implantation loss of the unborn child. However, the barrier methods are usually not acceptable to most couples—as they can be a barrier to intimacy.

If you’ve found our resources to be helpful, we invite you to consider making a one-time or recurring donation. It’s the generous support of our ministry partners that enables us to continue our eternity-shaping work.

However, we’re here to serve everyone without cost, so please don’t feel obligated to give to us. Jesus said, “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matt. 10:8). It’s our privilege and joy to share freely what God has so graciously given us.